The arrest of Father Kenneth Hendricks, an American priest who allegedly abused minors gave Philippine president, Rodrigo Duterte, a weapon against clergy who dare to criticise his bloody war against narcotics.

Police served five more arrest warrants on the priest, who was nabbed in December by a joint team of Philippine and American law enforcers in the central Philippines (Sunday Examiner, 16 December 2018).

VATICAN CITY (CNS): “Let it be clear that before these abominations, the Church will spare no effort to do all that is necessary to bring to justice whosoever has committed such crimes,” Pope Francis said in reference to the clerical sexual abuse crisis, during his annual pre-Christmas meeting with officials of the Roman Curia on December 21.

The pope told members of the Curia that the Church’s strength does not depend on its members’ perfection, but on the willingness to recognise its failings and correct them.